Morocco Trek: Erg Chegaga Dunes 6 Days - 5 Nights
Description
An itinerary focused on “dunes” along the Drâa River. Accompanied by a caravan of camels and a nomadic team, it’s a beautiful voyage of discovery and adventure, perfect for a first or second experience in the desert
Highlights
- 4-day trek on foot from dune to dune and a half-day in a 4X4
- Route connecting the village of Mhamid El Ghizlane to the dunes of Erg Chegaga
- Intermediate-level desert journey (4 to 5 hours of walking per day)
- A unique circuit that allows on-foot exploration of the two most beautiful ergs in the Draa Valley: Erg Zahar & Chegaga
- Mainly “sand” trek with the possibility of encountering nomadic shepherds with their herds
- Nights in nomadic bivouacs in the heart of the dunes, including one night at Erg Chegaga.
- Return by 4X4, providing a glimpse of a different landscape: the regs & hamadas
- 4 nights in the desert, and 1 night in the village of Mhamid (in a fixed bivouac, all comfort)
Included
- Round-trip transportation from Marrakech / Ouarzazate
- Overnight stay in a comfortable fixed bivouac in M'hamid (the night before the trek starts)
- 4-day and 4-night trek, with the return in a 4X4
- Full board
Excluded
- Optional: Saddle camel(s) for children (20 € / day / camel)
- Personal expenses and tips
Itinerary
Departure from Marrakech in the morning to reach the village of Mhamid El Ghizlane, at the gateway to the desert (455 km, through the Atlas and the Drâa Valley). The journey itself is a true change of scenery between the ochre mountains of the Atlas and the vastness of the Drâa hamada. Visits and stops during the journey include the Atlas village, Tichka Pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Zagora, the pottery of Tamegroute, and more. After Mhamid El Ghizlane, the road ends! We take the track to reach the Melodie du Desert bivouac located a few kilometers at the foot of the dunes. In the evening, night in a "comfortable" fixed bivouac (shower, toilet, electricity, and hammam).
After loading the camel caravan, departure from the fixed bivouac, on foot, to reach the dunes of Erg Sidi Naji and its mausoleum. This erg is a place rich in tradition, where every year, members of the Naji tribe gather for festivities. The night is spent in a nomadic bivouac (under a tent or under the stars) in the heart of the dunes.
A mirage may appear during the crossing of this large arid plateau. The magnificent roaring dunes (Erg Zahar) emerge in the distance, and we reach them after a few hours of walking. Vegetation becomes scarce; the Sahara presents its most desert-like side on this part of the circuit. Night in a bivouac in the heart of the dunes.
The trek continues by crossing the Oued Drâa to reach Erg Smar. Lunch near the well (and a stop to water the camels). Resuming the walk to the west of the valley to reach Erg Sadra. There is a possibility of meeting shepherds accompanied by their herds during this day.
This day of walking leads us to the majestic dunes of Erg Chegaga, the highest dunes in Morocco (discover Erg Chegaga in a few words: here). The ascent of the highest dune offers a panoramic view of the entire Erg and the Bani mountains to the north. Night under the stars or in a tent according to each one's preference.
Departure in the morning by 4X4 to reach the village of Mhamid El Ghizlane (60 km off-road) through the track of the sacred oasis (a natural spring that allows many shepherds to water their herds) and the Latache wadi (well) on the way. The return by the track offers a completely different perspective of the Drâa Valley and the Sahara. Lunch at the fixed bivouac before hitting the road back to Marrakech. Arrival expected in the evening. Overnight stay in Marrakech.